Love And Hurt: A Royal Tale

She was receiving a parcel today coming from her estate, it contained the report of the activities of the private investigator she had hired.

After finding out that her letter were being opened by the guard who brought, she had not fail to inform anyone sending her a message to send it straight to her estate and then her own servants would bring it for her.

She had told the investigator to send anything he had to her estate and her own servants would send it to the castle.

She had written to them strictly not to give her parcels to anyone but her.

She had been informed that the parcel was coming and the time it was going to arrive also was known to her.

Looking at her small table clock, she realized the parcel would be there anytime soon.

Braiding her hair and pinning it tightly she hurried down.

"Lady Anna, where's the fire," Sir Nicholas the captain of the royal soldiers said gripping Anna by her hand.

Anna had not seen him in the hallway. She avoided the man like a disease.

Anna hated the way he stared at her, the way an hungry man looked when he saw good food.

"I'm in a haste sir Nicholas, Anna said trying to free herself from his grip.

"Calm down Maris," he said laughing. He had heard her father call her Maris at one time.

"I have a parcel to receive, could you let me go," Anna protested, he had no right to call her Maris.. only her parents did.

"A servant can always get your parcel Anna, let's go to somewhere private and talk like matured adults, we could even do more than talk."

Gathering all her strength, Anna pulled herself away. "I haven't anything to discuss with you sir Nicholas, she said with the disgust boldly showing in her countenance.

If you're looking for ladies to have fun with I'm sure more than half of the ladies waiting in court would gladly oblige. Please excuse me," Anna said wanting to leave when the man gripped her again, "you do not dare talk to me in that tone, I'm the captain."

"You tend to forget who my father was and the legacy he left me, I'm not scared of you captain."

Nicholas smiled staring at her lips, hers was a hidden beauty, a beauty he had noticed on that trip with her father when he had walked into her room to call her for dinner and saw her naked from the waist upwards with her hair down. She had quickly covered her breast with hair calling his name in surprise.

"You forget I've seen you my dear," sir Nicholas said smiling, "just let me feel you even though we don't make love, let me..."

"Let go of me Anna yelled," trying to free herself from his grip."

"Nicholas!" Immediately Anna heard the voice her heart beat faster. It was William she need not turn to know that.

Nicholas left her immediately, bowed and walked out.

Anna herself walked hurriedly not even sparing the man a glance of acknowledgement. They had not seen since that fateful night.

The trip home was a very quiet one, none had said anything to each other but she could see an amused look on William's face. 'She had completely disgraced herself,' Anna thought.

She was just in time, the messenger from her estate had just arrived.

She walked steadily to him beating the servant who usually brought her letters.

She collected her parcel, nodded in acknowledgement and walked hurriedly to her room.

Nicholas had shaken her spirit, what sort of man treated a lady like he did.

She opened her parcel and read through the report but nothing there was new to her, the investigator still pinned it all on Roland.

If truly it was Roland then it was time she had a talk with him.. games night she thought.

The first activity since the nobles were invited to court, Roland wouldn't miss it for anything.

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"Who's attending to William now?" Richard asked.

"I don't know," Vivianne said caressing his back.

Richard grasped her pinning her on the bed, "you want me to love you, you want me to bed you, what's the king's right hand man up to," he said kissing her.

Vivianne put her hand across his neck bringing him closer, she bit his neck sucking and letting her hand explore his naked back.

I think she's investigating Roland, Vivianne hoarsed out suddenly, I don't know anything else. They usually go to William house by the river. I've asked Owen follow them severally. They usually stay for two days before coming back. The news is that he has been smitten by Tony's daughter and was working on a piece for her."

"Does Owen wait with them?" Richard finally asked.

"The bitch always secure the place with her father's staff, it's risky for him to stay," Vivianne replied kissing her lover again.

He allowed her have her way before pulling away, "I want Owen to find a way to watch their activities, can you do that for me?" He asked, kissing her all the way to her breasts caressing one nipple with his palm while gently nibbling on the other.

Vivianne moaned out in pleasure, I'll do anything for you Richard.. I love you she said taking his lips again.

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Tonia laughed again staring lovingly at the man, she was well aware of the tale that was being told in the castle.

She wished for it to be true, she did love the man and yes he cared for her, but not more than a dear friend.

She saw how he looked at Anna, yearned for the lady's attention.

Anna did not deserve it, she thought. She didn't deserve William's love.

"William do you care about the lady Anna," Tonia suddenly asked.

William looked at her surprised, "Care for lady Anna, I do not understand what it is you're trying to ask," he lied.

"Lady Anna," Tonia said, "I see the way you look at her. There's this sought of affection in your eyes, one that's never there when you look at me. Is she more beautiful than I am? William, Is there something I'm missing that keeps you drawn to her? I need answers William," she said concluding her words staring intently at him.

William knew he had been caught several times foolishly staring at her. What really was his feelings for the woman.

"Staring bodly into her eyes, William told the worst lie of his life.

"There's nothing more to how I look at her, it's just a mere attraction that would go away, it's nothing more. The woman doesn't mean anything to me," he said.

"You're sure," Tonia asked smiling.

"You've got nothing to be worried about Tonia, if there's any one in my heart it sure has to be you."

How did he do that, how did he look straight into her eyes and say such lies.

Just as he concluded his words to Tonia, he heard a gasp from the door.. a sob and a person walking away hurriedly.

No one needed to tell him who it was, because of his stupidity; his fear of admitting his feelings, he had hurt her once more. Why did he keep on hurting her when all he wanted to do was love her.. love her like he had love no other.

Anna rushed blindly to her room.

She had overhead their conversation, the man did not cease to hurt her. Every way he could he kept on hurting her, playing with her feelings.

William did not deserve her, she hugged herself sobbing.

He had finally won..had finally made her cry, she inhaled shakily.